By Brian Kauffman At the UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab, my 2018 summer research included gathering data and analyzing the rates at which an invasive amphipod species consumes different populations of seagrass in Tomales Bay, near San Francisco, California. This research helps pave the way to better understand and predict a newly introduced species’ ecological effect on the surrounding aquatic environment. Ultimately, I learned research in marine science is adaptive. Upon analyzing my data, I had to speculate why my original hypothesis was incorrect, as well as infer a new one. Science is not about forming conclusions then gathering and interpreting data, it is in fact, the opposite. Through asking questions, designing experiments, collecting data, and inferring that data; we can begin to answer the puzzling, unsolved questions science demands. Firstly, the most rewarding experience during my BML internship was doing field work! I loved putting on waders, diving into the mud on an early morning, and collecting my own samples for experimentation. In the treacherous mudflats of Tomales Bay, I felt very safe as several BML PhD candidates comforted and guided me. Secondly, I really enjoyed the privilege to approach and learn about graduate students’ research on-site, while also attending the weekly research presentations. BML provided that comfortable space to stay on-site, explore outside my own lab, ask a lot of questions, and hear well-thought answers from graduate students and experts in the field. Finally, upon completing my research, I am grateful to announce I recently presented my findings at the 2019 SERCAL Ecological Restoration Conference on my own poster. Having the opportunity to converse with experts and even more graduate students in the field was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The attending ecologists, in the public and private sector, are who important Californian government figures such as Jerry Brown and Gavin Newson rely on for biodiversity, ecological restoration, and wildfire prevention. Without BML, I would not have been able to present my own research to this crowd, let alone listen to and network with the attendees - all while hearing about their different lines of ecological work. On another note, a challenge I overcame was developing a grit to push through data collection. You cannot progress in research without it. However, the gratification that follows makes the process worth it. Overall, I am confident in saying my BML experience has helped prepare me to become a better research and doctor in a future MD/PhD program. Through my amazing mentor, Katie DuBois, I developed new research skills to approach unsolved problems at hand. I am motivated to apply this in another research field. For that, I am forever grateful to SRJC Dr. Shawn Brumbaugh, SRJC Dr. Abigail Zoger, Santa Rosa Junior College, Katie DuBois, UC Davis Dr. Jay Stachowicz, the BML community, and the late Susan Williams - given I also had the honor to work in her lab space. As a now UCSD transfer student, I greatly value SRJC and UC Davis’ commitment to exposing junior college students to research prior to transferring. In addition, as a future physician scientist and undergraduate in Susan William’s laboratory, I am motivated to apply my knowledge to public policy. Brian Kauffman was a SRJC-BML Intern in the Summer of 2018. He is now a student at the University of California, San Diego.
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